Do I really need to add my wife as a driver on MY policy?

Question

Soon after we married, my auto insurance company (USAA) notified me that I needed to add my wife as a driver on my policy. Is this necessary, and if so, how will it affect my rates?

Answer 1

Yes you do. Insurance companies need to be aware of all risks. It will affect your rates if she has a bad driving record, or bad credit, or if she's a youthful driver.

Answer 2

It is necessary the policy reads named insured and spouse. Because of this your spouse is automatically covered under the policy, if you do not add your spouse their is a double liability out their if an accident occurs because technically she is covered under both policy's.

The rates will depend on your wife's driving record, if it is good you may be able to see some savings.. You will now get a discount for being married, and you will see a multi car discount as well.

My suggestion is to have each of you call your insurance companies and have them do a quote on both of your policy's which ever one is cheaper go with that policy.

Answer 3

Does your wife have her own policy on her own vehicles? If so, you don't need to add her. Otherwise, you need to add her as a driver. It will increase your rates, but probably not much depending on her driving record. Plus, once she is added to the policy, she is a USAA member and can use their other services as well.

Answer 4

Normally yes but you can possibly employ a 'named driver exclusion' clause to exclude your wife on your policy. However, she will not be covered if she gets in an accident driving your car. In this situation:

1. She must NEVER drive your car
2. She must drive ONLY HER car
OR
3. She must purchase a separate auto policy on your car or add your car to her policy if she occasionally will be using it.

The premium is affected to the extent of the driving records of ALL the drivers on the policy.

Details regarding the above may be found here:
http://www.insurance.com/FAQs/autoFAQDetail.aspx/index/18

Answer 5

It is normal that all licensed drivers in a household are noted on the insurance policy. I have seen papers signed affirming that one driver in the house will not be driving certain vehicles. In case of an accident, that driver would not be covered in that vehicle. This happens, usually, when one driver has a DUI on their record but there are more than one vehicle in the household. Your wife would need her own policy on her vehicle. You still get the multi-car discount if you both have the same company.

Answer 6

It depends on the situation, sometimes your rate will drop for being married rather then single, also If she is about the same age as you, it will remain the same because male drivers have higher rates then female. However if she is younger, rates could possibly rise unless it is a credit based insurance company in which case your rate my remain how it is.

Answer 7

Most married couples share the same policy...

Are you not sharing the bills now, so that the rates are not just YOURS? This should be a shared expense. Economically split marriages rarely work out.

Answer 8

YES YOU NEED TO ADD HER SO THAT YOU WILL BE COVERED IF SHE SHOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

NOT INFORMING THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF THIS AND YOUR WIFE SHOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT, THE INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER IT AND ANY DAMAGES THAT SHE MIGHT CAUSE.

YOU MUST GIVE ALL OF HER INFO TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE IF THEY FIND OUT DIFFERENT DAMAGING INFO AT A LATER DATE YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR THE RATE INCREASE.

Answer 9

yes, any person living in your home needs to be added. if she has points and thats why you do not want her added, if she already has her own policy most companies will still require that you add her as driver to your policy, but will not charge her points if she is already being charged on her policy.

Answer 10

Yes, if she lives in your home, it is presumed that she has access to the car. In fact, this applies to any licensed driver, even your kids. If they have a license they have to be listed on at least one vehicle.